2 Castles, 2 Send out 2011 & Ring in 2012...12 Days of Christmas

momabaarjo · Feb 12, 2011

If your reading this, then we probably already have a lot in common. I will admit it, I am a COMPULSIVE PLANNER. I cant stand anything to chance. The thought of going without a plan/schedule through WDW sends me into hives and in serious need of an inhaler to ease the tightness in my chest! This is the way I lead my life, I am the thinker, the planner in everything I doits a wonder that I have friends, dont drive my co-workers crazy and my husband has stuck around now for almost 20 years. I think in my next life I need to become a professional travel agent or party planner! The most fun for me is not the trip, but the planning that goes into it (okay, the trip is an added perk).

This is going to be our first trip to WDW as a family, first for my dh and 3 children (who I will introduce in the next few posts), but I got bitten by the Mickey bug last summer when I was attending a conference in Orlando and decided that it is TIME my children have a once in a lifetime adventure in Florida. This is the first trip as a family other than trips to our cabin in New Mexico and holiday trips to see family either in Colorado or San Antonio.my husband does not do vacations (more on that later)so HOW I got him ever to agree to the madness of WDW and USO at Christmas time is a miracle in itself. :cheer2:

But, I can happily say

We are going to Disney Worldand yes, Universal Studios to ring in the New Year 2012of course if you believe the Mayansthis will be the last New Yearso my family is going to do it up right!

The most fun about this trip is that it is going to be a SURPRISE up until about the time we leave (right now on Christmas afternoon). But more about that later

Here is what I know so far about this trip, it will be in 2 parts to 2 different castles

Depart: December 25, 2011
Castle 1: Hogwarts (December 25-30)
Staying at RPR at USO (about to book, waiting for my TA to get back from her Disney Cruise)
3 day park to park pass
1 day swimming at Discovery Cove with the Dolphins

Castle 2: Cinderellas Castle (December 30-January 6, 2012)
Renting points from a DVC member for the BWVPAID FOR IN FULL
May extend to January 7 and stay a night at either GF or POLY for a magical ending to our trip
7-8 park passnot sure if I will add hopper, thinking of doing DDPbut still not sure if it is right for us

I cant wait to share my adventure and passion in planning with you!

momabaarjo · Feb 12, 2011

GENERAL INFORMATION
Cast of Characters
Shhh...It's a Secret (My General Revealing Plans)
Scavenger Hunt Items
Treasure Hunt Clue, Locations and Tasks
Dinner and a Movie Idea
Food Finds at World Market for Dinner & a Movie Nights
1st Dinner & a Movie Night: Toy Story 1 & 2 (March 19)
Could the Secret be Out? :mad:

momabaarjo · Feb 19, 2011

So who are we? A family of 5 from the Texas Panhandle...let me introduce you...

ME (Tammie)-

Mom of this cast and all that entails...taxi driver, bank, wiper of tears, etc.
40 something (it seems that after 40, I have to stop and figure out exactly how old I am)
Curriculum Specialist for an elementary school (my job is to support teachers in improving their classroom instruction to raise student achievement...or as I fondly look at between a rock (school administration) and hard place (teachers)
Loves to read, scrapbook and dabbles in photography

DH (Jeff)

Owns his own business (installs, repairs, finishes/refinishes) hardwood floors-In November he got to be part of an ABCs Extreme Home Makeoverthis is a picture of one of his crews that did the installation of the floors for the makeoverhe is the one on the far right end
Avid hunter, fisherman, outdoor kind of guy
Hates crowdsthis trip is going to be a challenge at the most crowded time of year
Thinks a vacation is getting in the truck and heading to our cabin 5 hours away for fishing
All around good guy, can talk to a wall and have it talk backnever met a stranger

This April we will have known each other for 19 yearswe met on a blind date set up by some parents (his friends) of a student in my classroom my first year of teaching. In July we will have been married for 16 years.

DD (Ab)
Typical Teenage girland it is not a fun adventure for her parents
Just like her mom, hates not being prepared with a plan
AVID READERa book a day and 2-3 trips to the library each week to keep her in books
Honor Student (will start high school next fall)
Plays the violin and is a cheerleader
Plans to be a marine vet or a small animal vetdreams of attending Texas A & M or Colorado State Vet School (the reason why Discovery Cove is part of our trip)

DS#1 (Fondly known as Boo)

My easy, laid back, mellow childsweet natured, funnydrives this compulsive planning mommie crazy with his personality
Good student, good athletewould be great if he would give 100%
Loves hunting, fishing, and camping along side his dad
Plays the guitar and is involved in Boy Scouts

Ab and Boo are the reason why USO is a MUSTthe first part of the trip is for them, heading to Hogwarts. Ab read the entire Harry Potter series during Christmas vacation 2 years ago. Boo is right behind her this yearhe just finished Deathly Hallows in just over a week (the longest in the series).

DS#2 (Fondly known as Gooshort for goober/peanut)
Our little surprise in life for our 10th anniversarywe had saved for a cruise and fishing trip to Alaskawithin days of booking and I found out I was expecting and the money for the trip was used for a trip to the hospital
Smart, Fun, cute cuddly, and SPIT-FIREhe keeps life exciting and makes me feel old chasing after him
Has to tag along after 2 older siblings and all their activities
He is the reason why we are going to WDWhe is Lightning McQueens #1 Fan.

momabaarjo · Feb 22, 2011

OMG...I subscribe to Walk Disney World Posts on Facebook. The other day they asked the question "What is your favorite treat at WDW?" someone posted GINGERBREAD FUNNEL CAKE WITH PEPPERMINT STICK ICE CREAM.

OMG...I have got find this yummy treat. I love gingerbread, love funnel cakes and as a kid my favorite ice cream was peppermint stick (Poudre Valley Brand...loved digging out the green and red peppermint chunks).

I googled and found this link complete with a picture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theverynk/5352780536/

I guess the ONLY place to get it is at Sleepy Hollow near the Liberty Square Bridge in Magic Kingdom Park.

Sadly as I read more, they only make this until Christmas...oh well maybe this will help someone else.

ZFamily5 · Feb 22, 2011

Can't wait to hear more details! I'm around the same age as your daughter, going into high school this fall! Update soon! popcorn::

momabaarjo · Feb 24, 2011

Hi Zfamily5....glad to have you along for my planning adventure. Maybe you can help me with some things that a girl your age would love to do at WDW for my dd!

momabaarjo · Feb 24, 2011

I am a little unsettled about all this unrest in the Middle East and wondering what kind of effect this is going to make on my vacation plans. Last week I filled up at $2.99, and today $3.22...a week later and we are up 23 cents. If you listen to doom and gloom talk radio, we are in for $5 a galloon by Christmas. I had been scoping out plane tickets on SW and was excited that I could probably get them for around $350 per person/round trip...now I am really scared that it might be double that much by the time that SW posts flights for the holiday season. If they do get this high, we are going to have to scale back this trip....GRRR. I am almost regretting spending the extra $500 to get the BWV instead of POR.

I really wish that I had WDW park hours and flight schedules so I could really plan!

momabaarjo · Mar 1, 2011

Today I tinkered with dining plans and put some pencils to the paper to see how much this is costing us...yikes, now my budget is really starting to sink! We are trying to do this whole trip with cash only...my total for the 12 nights/13ish days is nearly $2500. I guess when I look at the big picture that is about $200 a day or $50 a person....even with eating some breakfasts in the room.

momabaarjo · Mar 1, 2011

I am so proud of dd...she is such a self driven student. This past weekend she had her regional PSIA competitions (private/home school verision of UIL for my Texas folks), where students compete in a variety of academic events. She was entered in 3 events and took home 2, 2nd places which qualify her for the state competition the end of April. She will be competing in DFW in Ready Writing and Listening Skills!

Since the competition is literally days before her birthday, I have decided to fly for a mom and daughter weekend girls trip! The plane fare and rental car is almost the same as it would cost me to drive... :hug:

I am excited to do something fun with her...having a 14 year old girl is not easy sometimes (okay most days) and I know it will not get better for awhile...so I better take advantage of this while I can.

momabaarjo · Mar 2, 2011

I ordered a 2011 Passporter edition right before Christmas and it finally arrived last Friday, just in time for a 4 hour road trip...boy did the time fly...never has this trip gone so fast. I have to say that I am pretty impressed with the book. I read the Unofficial Guide cover to Cover last spring when planning for my post conference trip to WDW in July. What I did not like was the lack of pictures and having to flip through to find specific information. :love:

how the Passporter is divided by resorts and parks in each category and everything is in color with lots of pictures. So far I have not found anything I did not know...sure I will as I read more. I also purchased the Unofficial Guide to Universal Studios...lots of great information. I have already picked through it several times and have come up with some touring plans based on what I learned last year on my Pre conference trip to USO on HP opening weekend.

I am having so much fun researching!

momabaarjo · Mar 3, 2011

I have been toying with ADR and a which park schedule which day...just when I think I have figured out what I want to do and am happy with it...WHAM, :upsidedow

I read a post and it makes me rethink my plans and change them again...I WANT IT TO BE JUNE SO I HAVE PARK SCHEDULES!

I actually am coming up with 2 scenarios...will post them later (crossing my fingers that someone is reading my PTR and will give me feedback).

momabaarjo · Mar 5, 2011

I have always been a sucker for the words "We're going to Disney" along with the park images and the song "When You Wish Upon a Star" playing in the background. So I am planning our own surprise revealing for Christmas morning (and if flight schedules work) and leaving that same day to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas.

I have already laid the ground work that we are going to WDW & USO...we have told the kids when ds#2-Goo turns 7 we are going to celebrate his birthday with a visit to Lightning McQueen, that would be August of 2012. There are Disney and Universal books laying around and we are constantly flipping through and compiling ideas for the trip...they just don't know the trip will actually come 7 months earlier than expected! :rotfl:

So me constantly on DIS is not raising my eyebrows and the kids are actually helping plan the trip.

My plans for revealing involve a scavenger hunt for Christmas morning. To start the hunt there will be 1 wrapped present in front of the tree where Santa usually leaves the presents, on the present will be a tag with all 3's name on it asking them to guess what is inside. Once they have guessed, they will open and find a started scrapbook with a letter from Santa, Mom, and Dad telling them about the hunt and a special present in the end (I will post that later), then a card with a clue for the next gift. Once they find the gift, the tag will be a specific task they have to do before they open it, inside will be something to represent one of the 12 days of our trip (not so easy as to give it away), then a card with the next clue...this will repeat until all 12 gifts are found...the last gift will be that box of balloons that you see in all revealings...as they open I plan to play "When you wish"...now they are going but they will still think that it is in August...somehow I have got to get them to ask when?! Still thinking on this one! I will post my hunt later.

I plan to have the bags packed...this will be easy because the day after Christmas we usually travel to see my family in Colorado, so I wont be doing all the packing. Then off to the inlaws for an early lunch and then board the plane.

wdwgirl03 · Mar 5, 2011

Sounds like a fun trip! My sisters and I went to Islands of Adventure this summer, mainly for the Wizarding World. We had so much fun-it was awesome!

momabaarjo · Mar 5, 2011

wdwgirl03 said:
Sounds like a fun trip! My sisters and I went to Islands of Adventure this summer, mainly for the Wizarding World. We had so much fun-it was awesome!

I managed to be at IOA on the hard opening weekend of HP...you are right it was so much fun to see Hogwarts and Hogsmeade come to life. My 2 oldest are huge HP fans...they were so jealous I got to go last summer...I did bring them back a t-shrt, chocolate frogs, and bertie beans. I know they are going to be in awe when they go at Christmas. I am scheduling 3 early mornings at WWHP so that we can do everything without the rush of crowds...be in and out before it all! My ds#1 wants so bad to be chosen in Olivanders...3 morning tries first thing, cross your fingers for him.

momabaarjo · Mar 13, 2011

This is spring break for me and my kiddos. We had talked about heading to our cabin and ski...but the snow has not been great this season and I am of course watching every penny I spend (the fear of airfare is always on my mind...I head somewhere SW is going up $10 a flight...if so that is about $100 more for my family which is doable).

What are our plans for spring break? I think I am going to take the time to do some scrapbooking...I am so far behind, take the kids to the dollar movies a couple of times, and start a family movie night...Disney Movie and Dinner or Dessert. I found some really cool ideas on the DIS. My two oldest love to cook, so maybe I will assign them the task of making the dessert or dinner to go with the movie.

Lent is here...so what did I give up? I have given up facebook...it takes way to much of my time. I am allowing myself to stay in touch with my WDW planning group, however. I am also working through some hurt, bitter, resentful feelings that I have towards a person who I considered a friend. I am forcing myself to let go and pray for peace and forgiveness. I know she and I will never be friends again, but I am tired of all the feelings that go with this ending of a friendship. I am also going to work on repairing a friendship with my best friends from college. I am also trying to give TRIP planning a break. I really cannot do anything until I get park hours (which will be June) and really things hinge on when we can get Processional tickets (which will be late August). I am trying to stay off of DIS planning boards and trying to stay only on the budget board....

momabaarjo · Mar 15, 2011

As promised here is the scavenger hunt items for our Christmas morning reveal...feel free to give me any suggestions. I wanted 12 items, for the 12 days of the trip...and hence the 12 days of Christmas we will be gone! I want the items not to be so revealing so that my 2 oldest don't figure it out right away! Most of these items I have in the house so I will not have to buy anything which is an added plus!

1. Royal Pacific Resort-Lei

2. IOA/Harry Potter-Silly bands in character shapes (found these on amazon for real cheap...and they do not give HP away for my 2 fans)

3. USO-Shrek Operation Game

4. Discovery Cove-underwater camera

5. Epcot-picture of celebrity reading the processional, flag from country we are going to eat at that night, small nativity scene

6. Hollywood Studios-found a picture search book at the book fair with all Pixar characters

7. Magic Kingdom-crown and a bag of pixie dust glitter

8. Animal Kingdom-stuffed animal

9. DTD-bag of ghirardelli chocolates

10. Grinch Breakfast-How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book

11. Boardwalk Villas-salt water taffy and a milk jug boardwalk game

12. Box of Mickey Balloons

momabaarjo · Mar 16, 2011

I am sure I will continue to tweak the treasure hunt up until the time it occurs on Christmas morning, but here is what I have so far to unveil the surprise trip to begin that afternoon...

Starting Location/Present: In front of the tree where Santa leaves his gifts
StartingTask: Make a Guess What is Inside
Starting Gift : Scrapbook with Letter From Santa bookmarked and Clue 1 Envelope...

Clue 1: "I Can go anywhere, I can be anything, take a look it's in a ________"
Location 1: DDs bookcase
Task 1: Since you are doing this together, and the gift is for all 3...tell each other one thing you love about them

Clue 2: "____________ , it makes a body stong"
Location 2: Refrigerator
Task 2: Whose birthday is today? Place Baby Jesus in the manger and sing "Happy Birthday" to him

Clue 3: Don't think I am a liar, to find the next present you must look in the ________"
Location 3: Dryer
Task 3: Get dressed with the clothes your found and make your beds. Once this is done you may open this gift.

Clue 4: "I take you away, but I will always bring you back to home sweet home."
Location 4: Mom's car
Task 4: Call Grandma Sue and sing to her "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," dont forget to add that you love her.

Clue 5: "This hunt we hope you are lovin, for the next clue you will find in the ______"
Location 5: Oven
Task 5: Eat Breakfast, clean up the kitchen, brush your teeth, comb your hair, then you make open this gift"

Clue 6: "An athlete, a race car driver, a rock star or idol, and a hunter you can be."
Location 6: Wii game box
Task 6: Get out the American Idol Wii game, and sing together "Life is a Highwat"

Clue 7: Mexican _____________ Dance
Location 7: Mexican Hat on top of Boos desk
Task 7: Help Goo find the things on the pages (pixar picture search...Lightning)

Clue 8: Hurry Up Now, you are almost done, so don't move like a snail, for the next gift you will find where they leave the ___________"
Location 8: Mail Box
Task 8: Since we are celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, name 3 animals my true love gave to me

Clue 9: Everybody wants to be a cat...but the cat
Location 9: Carmen's cat house
Task 9: Have sister read "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"

Clue 10: When you were little I would fly you to the moon or just take you on a slide down to earth.
Location 10: Rocket Ship
Task 10: Play the shrek game until 1 person is able to take 1 item out of Shrek without buzzing

Clue 11: Dry off
Location 11: Towel Closet
Task 11: Open educational gift

Clue 12: Go to the place where you are spoiled rotten and you always get your way
Location 12: Nanny & Grandad's house
**have nanny tell them there was a mistake that they must return home for the gift

While gone get out BIG box (full of ballons and DVD/travel material), put packed suitcases on bed along with fun present...

Task 12: Guess what is inside based on your clues, tasks, and gifts...take pictures, turn on video camera...open gift and watch DVD

momabaarjo · Mar 17, 2011

Yes, ADR making is still a long way away...the magic date is July 4th (still have to figure out how to make this since we will be sitting at a parade in the moutains like we do every 4th of July).

I have several ADR plans floating in my head and on paper to share with you (and get some feedback). My plans all hinge on when/if I can get tickets for the processional package and dates for parks is subject to change depending on park hours.

Plan 1: Processional Package (day before we officially arrive at WDW)

Dec 29:
Dinner: Processional Package for Le Cellier or Teppan Edo
*Reasoning-By now I am sure that my dh is going to be craving a nice big steak, but the teppan style would be fun for all of us (we do have a couple of teppan places around here so it is not a huge must...either choice will work just fine for our family)

Dec 30
Breakfast-1900 Park Fare
*Reasoning...we are a big breakfast type of family and this will hold us until dinner...also I have to try out the bread pudding and strawberry soup...along with hoping the gingerbread house at the GF will still be around
Dinner: Snack Around the World

Dec 31
Breakfast-Eat in the Room
Lunch-Flaming Tree BBQ or Yak & Yeti
Dinner-Cape May or Boma

Jan 1
Breakfast-Eat in the Room
Lunch-Mama Melrose F! Package...early in afternoon
Dinner-Sci Fi or Primetime near closing time

Jan 2
Breakfast-Kona
Early Dinner-CRT

Jan 3
Breakfast-Eat in Room
Lunch-Pizza Planet
Dinner-Raglan Road, Boma, or Cape May

Jan 4
Breakfast-Eat in Room
Lunch-Sunshine Seasons
Dinner-Biergarten

Jan 5
Breakfast-Crystal Palace
Dinner-Ohana

Jan 6
Breakfast-Chef Mickey's

Plan 2: Processional Package Dec. 30 (Official start day of WDW part of trip)

*The only difference with this plan is that on the 30th instead of snacking around the world, we will eat at Biergarten for the processional package and snack around the world the other day we do Epcot.

momabaarjo · Mar 19, 2011

In all of my reading on the DIS, I came across a thread on Disney movie nights and it got me thinking....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1707141

When dd was little (and ds#1 for that matter) we watched all the Disney movies. My mother would buy the VCR tapes for their birthdays and for Christmas. DDs favorite movies were the Rescuers (I remember her coming home from preschool telling us that is what they played at recess...I even found ornaments one year for Christmas for her), then it was Petes Dragon, Peter Pan (Tink was her favorite) and finally the Aristocats. DS#1 loved Caption Hook and Kodia from Brother Bear. But DS#2, he has really missed out being almost 6 years younger than his brother. By the time he was ready for Disney movies, the other 2 had moved on and so the movies just sat in the closet...except for Cars...we have gone through 3 DVDs of this movie and now it has a recording on the DVR. One road trip we watched Cars for 8 hours straight! I have given away a lot of the VCR tapes to a refugee student I work with in a Math Recovery Program...what a great way for his family to learn English and an incentive for him to work hard. We have a VCR in the house, but it is in our bedroom so it does not get used very much. I found that the public library has a great DVD collection of Disney, along with DVRing when the Disney Channels have movies playing...so tonight we are having our first Disney Movie night. Our movie nights are going to be a little different...I love all the cute craft projects, but that is not our family (especially with having 2 older ones who would laugh)...so instead we are having Dinner and a Movie...we are finding some recipe that goes with the movie and preparing it as a family (and if I can find an activity that all ages can do together we will). DH is not totally on board with this idea...he thinks the 2 oldest will not get into it...I beg to differ with him because adding the spin of cooking with them...they bought into my plans! So watch for tonight our first movie night! Hopefully we will have them most Saturdays (another way to save $$$ by not eating out). So watch for tomorrow a report on our first Dinner & a Movie!

annmarieda · Mar 19, 2011

Joining in!

I must say I am VERY impressed with all the thought and planning you give to all the things you do with your kids.

Christmas morning will be amazing!

Dinner and a movie? How lucky your family is to do this together!!!

2 Castles, 2 Send out 2011 & Ring in 2012...12 Days of Christmas

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

DIS Veteran

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

<font color=red>I'm just a big Disney Freak! :-)<b

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

Rather Sail Away with Mickey than Run Now

DIS Veteran